Joye C. Olson
Boscawen, NH – Joye C. Olson, 89, of Concord, passed peacefully February 17, 2026 at Concord Hospital due to complications of COPD.
She was born in Concord NH on April 22, 1936 to Grace and Robert Clarke, Sr. She grew up with her parents and three brothers on South Main St. in Penacook. She graduated from Penacook High School class of 54. She graduated from Laconia Hospital School of Nursing in 1957 as a Registered Nurse launching a career that would see her hold her nursing license for nearly 60 years.
On Flag Day 1958 she married the love of her life Kenneth Olson. They totally and completely dedicated their lives to each other for the next 56 years, until Ken’s passing in 2014. Together they raised two sons, Kevin and Karl and adopted a daughter, Kendra. Though she did work as a nurse her primary focus was to provide care for her son Kevin, who, because of cerebral palsy, remained bedridden and housebound. She and Ken provided the best care they could for Kevin, keeping him at home until he passed in 1978. Following Kevin’s passing she had the time to dote on her remaining children, first becoming active in Title 1 advocacy. She was recruited to represent parents and encourage their involvement in their children’s education. She proudly travelled to Washington, DC to testify before the President’s Committee on Education. She served as President of New Hampshire’s parent advisory committee for several years.
She supported Karl on his journey through DeMolay as an active member and Past President of the Rumford Chapter Mother’s Club. She was a member of Priscilla Chapter #51 of the Order of the Eastern Star for nearly 70 years. Later she and Ken were active in the Friends of the Concord City Auditorium serving as co-presidents, and were active in the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges, where she served as recording secretary and relished her role as a thorn in David’s side. Following a downsizing move into Beaver Meadow Village, she became active in the Beaver Meadow village association, serving as an officer and on multiple boards.
She and Ken bought a camper and hit the road, they travelled to and danced in all 50 state capitols and began making annual excursions to Mustang Island in South Texas where they were greeted as Winter Texans for many years. She enjoyed playing cards, pinochle and cribbage among her favorites, and enjoyed a good game of dominoes or Uno.
She enjoyed handicrafts beginning with with feathercraft in the 60s moving on to bead crafting and sewing. In the late 70s and early 80s she even started her own company, Blue J Enterprises, doing electronic subassemblies at home for local companies. Her nursing career never entirely went away and she spent decades in and out of geriatric nursing, teaching CNA’s and LNA’s and spent multiple years testing for state boards to certify nursing assistants. Later, making clocks with Ken, hers soft from cloth, his from wood often spatter coated with polymer coating, which they sold at local craft fairs for many years. She always seemed to be either knitting or crocheting especially her 1898 caps which she claimed stayed on and kept your ears warmer than anything.
She cooked carrying on the traditions her mother started in the old Penacook High School lunch program but became famous with the local Freemasons as a special lady (Masonic widow) and for her highly appreciated scones.
She had a sharp sarcastic wit and was an elaborate storyteller and family historian who was nearly always ready to dominate a conversation or offer her opinion.
She is predeceased by her parents (obviously), and her siblings, Richard, Donald, P. Deane, and Robert, her son Kevin and her husband Ken. She leaves behind Karl (Tina) Olson, daughter Kendra (Henry) Tucker, Grandchildren Kyle and Ian Tucker, Kyle and Alexander Stockbridge, Elizabeth (Paul) Dyment, Emily (Joel) Hurvitz, and was G-Joye to Halo Flynn, Jackson LaFlamme, Harry and Hazel Stockbridge and Cash Dyment.
She had frequently said that she only wanted her epitaph to say “She lived, she loved, she laughed, she left”. But if that was all that had been written here her story would be untold and none would have the opportunity to reflect on a life so richly lived… And she would probably have haunted me for all eternity.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2026 from 2:00-4:00 at Horace Chase Masonic Temple, 53 North Main St. Boscawen, NH with an Eastern Star funeral ceremony. A private interment will be held at a later time by the family. Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Boscawen office, is assisting the family with arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information please visit https://phaneuf.net/.
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